Author's Note: Sorry for the long update time. I've been VERY busy with schoolwork and other things. Encouragement helps though, and reviews certainly do just that. Anyway, without further ado, I present World of Advent Chapter Seven.

World of Advent Chapter Seven

The past week for Cipher had been a very busy one. After sending in his application to the Resistance, he found himself taking all kinds of tests to ensure he was qualified to be part of the Resistance. Now that he had finally passed them all, he was stuck waiting on his ride.

"Where is she?" Cipher muttered. "She said she would be here thirty minutes ago."

It was just as Cipher contemplated riding his C-Slider all the way to the Resistance that an orange hovercar strolled into the parkway and a woman with hair matching the color of her car stepped out.

"I'm so sorry Cipher," Neige panted. "I couldn't get the car started."

Cipher climbed into the car. "You know, I could have just used my Slider and saved you the trouble."

Neige shook her head as she checked the mirror, putting the car in reverse. "And leave you all alone on the day when you finally get accepted into the Resistance? Someone had to be your escort."

Cipher leaned back into his seat, enjoying the feeling of the wind ruffling his hair through the opening in the windshield. "Thanks, I guess. At least I did get accepted. I wasn't aware of how many physicals you had to take for it."

From the front, Neige grinned. "The physicals, I wasn't worried about. I thought for sure you would fail that psychiatric exam. Don't they have to make sure you're not crazy before letting you in?"
"Ha ha." Cipher let out a sarcastic laugh. "The only crazy one here is you. Didn't you crash through the Enforcer's blockade just to get a good picture of those pantheons that were unearthed in Sector A-43?"

"Something like that," Neige said. "But the pantheons weren't even active; I don't see what everyone was so excited about."

"And crashing through three dozen rows of 'Caution- Do Not Enter' tape doesn't count as excited? What would you consider over the top?"

"Crashing through four dozen rows," Neige said in response. Not that that's stopped me before."

Cipher rolled his eyes. "Remind me why I agreed to get in a car with you?"

"Because you trust me implicitly?" Neige said innocently. "That, and your C-Slider wouldn't get you half as far as you would need to go."

"Don't knock the C-Slider," Cipher warned. "After the modifications I've made to her, she can go at least three times further than the leading Slider brand."

"Fine," Neige said. "Just don't come whining to me when you run out of money for whatever you use to power that thing."

"It's actually a condensed version of the Ciel System," Cipher said proudly. "It won't run out of energy- it can't."

"I'm impressed," Neige said. "How come you haven't released some of these patents? Then you could support me when I get to old to be a reporter."

Cipher snorted. He doubted he could see any age where Neige wasn't crashing through Enforcer blockades to be the first to get to a new story. "The day you retire is the day I'll sell my C-Slider."

"Your loss," Neige said. "You could make some serious Zenny off of that thing."

The two drove in comfortable silence for the remainder of the rest of the trip, finally making their way to the fabled Resistance. Hovercars were strewn throughout the area as they made their way to a parking space.

"We're late!" Neige found a space that wasn't miles away from the entrance and the two leapt out of the car. "Go on without me," she said. "You're faster than I am."

Cipher didn't need to be told twice. Grasping his acceptance letter in one hand, Cipher rushed towards the entrance, trying to keep calm.

"You're not too late," Cipher told himself. "There's still time."

Cipher made it just in time to see the doors close behind him, making his way into the Command Room of the Resistance, where several recruits could be seen. The room was lightly decorated for the occasion, with two massive Operator systems overseen by two reploids with red and yellow hair, respectively. Cipher stood at the end of the line, envying their calm, poised statures while he tried to catch his breath.

"Now that everyone is here," droned a tall, unnamed reploid, "it is time to begin." The reploid looked down at his notes, beginning what Cipher knew would be a long and dull speech. "We welcome you, young recruits, to the Resistance. I'm sure you have many expectations for what you will be doing here. Sadly, not all of you will be rushing to the front of the battlefield in a fit of heroics. First, you must prove yourself as a loyal member of this great establishment. To do this, we will have you taking on several low level assignments, from deliveries to basic combat training. When we agree that you have been with us for a long enough time, we will test you and assign you where you will be most useful. Do not expect for all of you to be put on patrol right away. Good day to you all."

A woman with blonde hair and blue eyes stepped up to the platform. Cipher immediately recognized her as Ciel.

"Thank you for those... inspiring words, Austruche," Ciel said. She cleared her throat. "Welcome to the Resistance. Though better off than it was 20 years ago, the world has still not achieved the peace we desire. There is much work to be done; I thank you for willing to help us achieve that peace we desire."

Ciel walked back to her usual place beside the blood red reploid known as Zero as a reploid with a see-through visor took her place.

"My name is Colbur," the reploid said. "And for now, I will be in charge of making sure you know your way around here. Come closer to receive your first mission."

Cipher couldn't help but feel a ripple of excitement though his first mission was likely something akin to grunt work. Following the other trainees, he made his way to Colbur's podium.

Colbur gave them all a smile. "You've made it this far. All that remains is to become acquainted with the Resistance and its people." He handed them each a stack of papers. "These are your missions for today."

Each trainee ahead of Cipher walked away purposefully, intent on completing whatever assignment was at hand. Just as Cipher reached Colbur, however, he noticed the reploid had run out of papers.

"Looks like I've run out," Colbur said. "Don't worry," he added, seeing the expression on Cipher's face. "I still have something for you to do. Ciel needs something delivered and we're out of couriers to deliver it. Do you know where to go?"

Cipher shook his head. "No sir."

Colbur pointed Cipher towards Ciel's personal quarters. "She's seeing an old friend of hers right now, but she should be free by the time you get there."

Cipher thanked him and headed to Ciel's quarters, a million thoughts racing through his head. Ciel, the legendary hero of the Resistance! It was one thing to even see her, but to be given a mission directly involving the Resistance leader? It was almost too good to be true. And yet... a different sort of thought broke through Cipher's thoughts. Just who was his family? It was true, Cipher acknowledged, he did look like Ciel. But that could mean nothing. But what if Neige was right? It could mean everything.

Cipher had already reached Ciel's door, still trapped in his own thoughts. He was about to knock when he heard voices, one very familiar. They sounded angry, their pitches rising.

"I've been through this before," Ciel shouted through the door. "What if you're wrong? I can't face something like that again."

"You don't understand," Neige shouted in return. "He's JUST like you. He's even a genius, I know he is. So what if we've been wrong before? And the name-"

"The name means nothing," Ciel said miserably. "The others came with his name as well. I wouldn't be surprised if his parents named him that to pass him off as my baby."

"He's not like those others," Neige said softly. It became hard to hear them through the white retractable door. "HE reminds me so much of you two. He's stubborn, just like you and Zero. He's strong and smart, but he's afraid. He can't accept his own heritage."

"Has he taken a blood test" Ciel asked. It sounded as if the two had calmed down.

"No," Neige said. "Despite everything I tell him, he still won't take the damn test. I think, deep down, he's angry. Whoever he thinks his parents are, he wanted them to be there for him since his birth. I think he's bitter."

"Whoever he belongs to," Ciel said, "he'll be welcomed here. But I can't promise you anything, Neige." There was a long pause. "It's good to see you again," Ciel said at last.

"You too," Neige said. "Tell Zero I said hello, would you?"

"Of course," Ciel responded. "Come back anytime, okay? We miss you."

"I'll see if I can find some spare time," Neige said. "Goodbye Ciel."

Cipher hastened to back up as the door opened, Neige stepping out. She looked surprised to see him. "Cipher! Aren't you supposed to be doing missions with the other trainees?"

"I am," Cipher said with supreme awkwardness. "My first mission is to report to Ciel."

"Ah." Neige looked back at the door. "How much did you hear?" When Cipher said nothing, she sighed. "Come here," she said, motioning to the floor. "I'll explain. You see, before I even met you, I was looking for Ciel's children. Like many others, including Ciel herself at the time, I didn't believe them dead. So many people took advantage of this, sending in their own children, disguised with blonde hair and blue eyes. Most of them were hologram displacements, easy to dispel, but some... More than once Ciel had the false hope of being reunited with her sons, only to find out that she had been tricked when the blood report came in. After a while, she began to lose hope."

"But you kept looking." Cipher looked up at Neige. "Just what were their names?"

"Light and Cipher," Neige said. "Light was their firstborn child. Cipher was their second." She looked out the window. "I met someone the other day who looked a lot like you, you know. I know this is a lot to put on you, but what do you think? Could Light and Cipher still be alive? Who do you think you are?"

It was a while before Cipher answered. "I don't know yet. Until then, I'm just going to go on with my life as usual. But, no matter who I am, I'm going to make my own life."

Neige smiled. "Whoever your parents are, I'm sure they'd be proud of you. I sure am."

Cipher nodded, swallowing the hard knot that was forming in his throat. "Thanks Neige."

"No problem," Neige said. "Now, don't you have a mission to do?"

"Oh yeah!" Cipher sprang up. "I have to deliver something."

"Well, good luck," Neige said. "I'll stop by later to check up on you. I have no doubt that you'll be one of the greatest Resistance members here." Neige walked away, waving to Cipher before leaving Ciel's floor.

Cipher took a deep breath before knocking on Ciel's door.

"Enter!"

The door slid open, revealing Ciel and Zero's personal quarters to him for the first time. On one side of the room, heavy stacks of papers lined up next t incredibly complex formulas. The other side had different energy weapons lining the wall, an old book, "The Art of War," the only paper that could be seen.

"You must be Cipher," Ciel said in greeting. "Colbur said he'd send someone to deliver the E-Crystals."

"Is that my first mission, ma'am?"

"There's no need to be so formal," Ciel said with a small laugh. "Call me Ciel. And yes, I want you to deliver this packet of special E-Crystals to Hibou, the reploid in charge of storing them. You'll see him on the second floor."

"I will... Ciel." Cipher accepted the package of Crystals from the leader of the Resistance.

Ciel gave Cipher a warm smile before sending him off. Soon, Cipher was looking for the elevator that lead to the second floor. It wasn't long before Cipher found it, a massive hulking thing in the middle of the hall.

Cipher felt it go down, a slight claustrophobic feeling enveloping him; Cipher had never been one for small, enclosed spaces. Cipher let out his breath when the elevator opened, and a slightly chubby reploid could be seen walking toward him.

"Cipher, is it? I was told you would be coming," Hibou said. "I see you have the S-Crystals? Good."

Cipher handed him the Crystals. "Here you go."

"Thank you," Hibou said. "So you're new to the Resistance, right? Don;t worry, you'll fit in really well soon. Everyone finds their own place here. You know, I used to be fat and lazy, but ever since I started putting effort in my work, my hard work was recognized. Ciel even put me in charge of the distribution of E-Crystals! Now I'm just fat." He laughed. "If you do your job, you'll do just fine."

"Yes, sir." Cipher waited patiently for Hibou to finish.

"I guess I'm rambling, aren't I?" Hibou sighed. "Ever since the Ciel System was invented, I haven't really had many visitors needing E-Crystals. I guess I just needed someone to talk to. Say, could you do me a favor? Doigt, the weapons maker of the Resistance wants something to be given to Faucon, the reploid who mans the cannons. He asked me to do it, but I'm a little busy at the moment. We used to have two weapon makers, but ever since Cerveau took up shop in Neo Arcadia, Doigt has done us just fine."

"Yes sir."

"Good," Hibou beamed. "You'll find him somewhere on the third floor. Good luck finding him!"

Cipher thanked Hibou, making his way to his third destination, unable to shrug off the feeling that this would not be the last of his errands. Cipher didn't mind; he needed to find his way around his new home anyway.

Ironically, it was not anywhere on the third floor that he was acquainted with the weapons maker, but on the way there. Cipher had just reentered the service elevator when a heavily mustached reploid greeted him, declaring himself Doigt.

"So Hibou sent someone else to get it, did he?" Doigt sighed. "I suppose we're all busy at some point, but still."

"I'm sure he had his reasons," Cipher said. "What is it that you want delivered?"

"Oh that?" Doigt took a moment to collect his thoughts. "Faucon wanted an upgrade for one of the cannon turrets; it's been acting glitchy lately. Take this disc up to him, he'll know what to do with it."

Cipher accepted the disc, marveling at the compact design of the upgrade. "Interesting design," Cipher commented.

"Thank you," Doigt said. "I built it myself."

Cipher gave the disc one last cursory glance before making his way, yet again, to the elevator. Soon, he found himself on the top floor, overseeing the entire Base.

It was a majestic sight. In the distance, Cipher could see the great sands of the desert, and the skyline of Neo Arcadia on the other side. Workers could be seen traveling between their stations, appearing small as ants.

"Intruder!" A reploid donning a massive gun raised his voice and weapon at Cipher. "State your purpose."

"I'm the new recruit," Cipher said slowly. "I'm here to deliver something to Faucon."

"Oh." the reploid let down the gun. "That would be me, I guess. Sorry about the scare. I get a little bored nowadays. I guess with my line of work it's better to be bored than to be busy though. Normally people aren't allowed on this floor. Did Doigt send you? I've been asking for that upgrade for weeks."

"Here it is," Cipher said, fishing out the disc. "That should sole whatever problems you have with the cannon. If that doesn't help, call me. I was a mechanic in Neo Arcaida; I'm sure I could figure something out."

"Good to know," Faucon grinned. "It's always good to have a mechanic around."

Cipher nodded. "That's probably where I'll be assigned, when all this is said and done. Do you know anything about the next stage in the trainee program?"

"I do," Faucon said. "You'll be evaluated to see if you'll be of any use in a combat situation. Most people fail the test at first; it takes people a while to get their senses up to the appropriate level. Who knows though, maybe you'll surprise us."

Cipher thought about the prospect of joining a patrol squad. He knew it wouldn't be likely, but part of him found himself dreaming of heroic adventures over the desert landscape, fighting off the last of Weil's legacy.

"Well," Faucon said, "it looks like you're done for the day. You can turn in to your own private quarters with the rest of the trainees, or I could hook you up with your very own living space. I just need a favor done first."

"Sure," Cipher said, brightening at the idea of sleeping in a room he could call his own. "What is it?"

"Just deliver this baby elf to Allouette. She'll know what to do with it."

"Where did you find an elf?" Cipher asked, perplexed. The cannon stations didn't seem like a likely place for a newborn elf to be claimed.

"It was sleeping in one of the cannons," Faucon explained. "I have a feeling the nursery would be a better place for it than in one of those things." Faucon handed Cipher the elf and a key. "The key'll unlock your dorm- it's at the bottom floor. Nothing too fancy, but it beats having a pushy roommate."

"Thanks Faucon," Cipher said, pocketing the key, elf in the other hand.

"No problem," the reploid said. "Anything to help out one of the new guys. See you around, kid."

Cipher made his way toward what he hoped very much would be his last errand of the day, trying not to wake the elf up, only to have his efforts be in vain. In the middle of a crowded hallway, the elf woke up and started crying. Not knowing what else to do, Cipher rocked the baby elf awkwardly, aware of everyone staring at him.

"What are you doing with that baby elf?" a voice accosted him. A girl around his age with brown hair and piercing green eyes strode up to him. "Elves belong in the nursery."

"I know," Cipher said. "I'm on my way to see Allouette."

"Clearly not," the girl retorted. "The nursery is the opposite way."

The girl took the baby elf in her arms, crooning at it. Soon, it stopped crying and could be heard softly snoring. Cipher wondered what he did so differently.

"Come with me," the girl said.

"Why?" Cipher asked.

"You were going to see Allouette, weren't you? Come, I'll show you where she is."

Cipher followed the still unnamed girl down the passageways until they reached a door unrecognizable from the rest, but the girl seemed to know what she was doing. Taking out an identity card, she quickly scanned it it and stepped inside, holding the door open for Cipher.

"Allouette," she called. "Someone's here to see you. He brought a baby elf."

A female reploid stepped out from around a corner. "Hello, Sorra. What's this about a baby elf?"

"Faucon found it," Cipher explained. "It was hiding in one of the cannons."

"Well, thank you for delivering it," Allouette said warmly. "I'll make sure he's safe and secure with the rest of the elves."

Cipher took the moment while Allouette deposited the baby elf in the incubator to look around. The room was softly lit, with small children playing with elves in their cribs. Cipher realized that many of them must be Advents.

"If you'll excuse me," Allouette said, "I have to put these little guys to bed. If you wouldn't mind?"

"No problem," Sorra said happily. "'Night Allouette."

"Good night," said Allouette s they exited the door.

"So," Cipher said. "You seem pretty close. Do you work there?"

"Listen," the girl said abruptly. "I don't want any trouble from another washed out recruit who has it stuck in his head that he'll be living the glory days. Especially from someone too dense to know how to properly take care of an elf. Just leave me alone and I'll return the favor, okay?"

Cipher was stunned. "What's your problem?"

"Nothing," Sorra said. "I just don't think we need more muscle heads like you to keep this place running. I bet you came here thinking it would be nothing but you playing the heroics, didn't you? No matter. You'll be weeded out eventually. Just wait for combat evaluations."

"What did I ever do to you?" Cipher was now utterly perplexed. "I have my own reasons for joining, thank you."

"Humph. Well, whatever they are, make sure they don't interfere with me." Sorra stepped away, setting a brisk pace away from Cipher.

Cipher's mind was still reeling when he found his dorm room, room B13. It was a simple place, with just a computer, a desktop, and a single bed, but it suited him just fine. With a few modifications, it would be feeling like home.

Home. The thought carried new weight for Cipher, now that his old Family had been disbanded. What had happened to them? Where were they? Were they alright? So many questions were still on Cipher's mind when he finally decided to close his eyes and give in to sleep.

And what was that girl's problem? Why did she seem to hate him so much? Hopefully the rest of the Resistance wouldn't turn out to be like her.

Cipher rolled on his side. Some things, he decided, were best left to ponder in the morning. Whatever the next day would bring, he would be ready for it.